'I got it wrong on climate change – it's far, far worse.'

[kestrel91316]

4. I think half our problem with getting John Q Public to "get it" about climate change stems from

the difference between what laypersons consider to be "research" and what scientists do.

Laypersons, from what I can surmise, think "research" consists of reading about a subject in books, periodicals, and online; thinking about what you have read; and coming to whatever conclusion you wish based on your personal interpretation of what you've read.

Scientists consider "research" to be the application of scientific principles to controlled studies and retrospective studies which begin with a hypothesis, test that hypothesis, statistically evaluate results, and arrive at conclusions - all of which are then subjected to a rigorous process of peer review prior to publication.

This is probably why so many laypersons lack any respect whatsoever for scientists and the scientific method. We're not even speaking the same language.

I wish I had $100 for every time a client (usually of the cat hoarder or rescuer or breeder persuasion) has informed me that THEY are experts because THEY have done research into such-and-such disease, and when I ask them at what university I get a blank look, and then they tell me that they do it on their own, and I realize that they have NO idea what scientific research even IS.